The Phillies Collector

Collectible of the Week: No-Hit Club Photo

This weekend is a rare opportunity for Phillies fans to meet five of the six living pitchers to throw a complete game no-hitter for the team, including Hall of Famer Jim Bunning and two-time Cy Young Award Winner Roy Halladay who threw Perfect Games. To commemorate the gathering, Sports Vault Access has created a limited edition photo with images of each of the six Phillies hurlers.

The MLB licensed 20"x24" photo will be autographed by the players at this weekend's Philly Show.  Included will be an inscription noting their accomplishment, and the date on which it took place.  Since Kevin Millwood cannot attend the show, he will pre-sign each of the 100 pieces produced.  To finish it off, signed photos will be double matted and framed for hanging.  

While the $1k price tag definitely puts this piece out of reach for many collectors, I relate this appearance to either the 1980 Phillies Reunion (2005), or the 500 HR Club Show (1989) in Atlantic City - where one report at the time classified $30 as a "staggering" fee for autographs by Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams.  As many of you may know, the memorabilia signed during these two sessions has steadily increased in value over the years, bringing prices many times higher than the original purchase price.  I see these signed photos in the same class - a limited production run, beautiful design and a desirable grouping of signatures which will prove value in the long run.

Purchase the photo here.  Make sure to use the "Phillies Collector" exclusive promo code: NoHitSept to take 20% off the purchase price.